Waipa community leaders share their Christmas messages

Mike Bain Reporter from Cambridge Edition

OPINION: Spending time with family, reflecting on the year, celebrating achievements and acknowledging the help of others are just a few of the ways Waipa community leaders are marking Christmas this year.

Jim Mylchreest
​Waipa Mayor

It is a fantastic time of the year to be able to sit back relax and reflect on the events of the past year.

Cambridge is experiencing unprecedented growth both in residential developments and also businesses wanting to establish in this fantastic place we all like to refer to as the Home of Champions.

Council is looking forward to next year and getting a number of projects underway that will enhance the district and make Cambridge an even more liveable community.

We will be spending time at home over Christmas with our five children and their partners.

My wife Robyn and I are delighted that they will all be able to get home this year and particularly as we have our first granddaughter who will be about 15 months old, mobile and into everything – and guess what, as doting grandparents we don't care!

Robyn and I would like to wish everyone a festive and happy Christmas and New Year break and hope that you will be able to share time with family and friends.

Please look after each other, be safe and have an enjoyable break.

Tania Witheford
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce chief executive

As I write, the french doors in the chamber office are open welcoming in the summer warmth, the desks are overflowing with envelopes, Christmas cards and their associated glitter as we prepare to send out our annual thank you messages, wall planner and the year's last edition of Chamber News.

The end of the year is a time for reflection, for family, friends and an opportunity to acknowledge those that have supported and helped. It's time to appreciate all that we have, especially as we hold those in our thoughts who have been shaken, rattled and rolled by earthquakes.

As a not-for-profit organisation we are grateful to our members and our family of strategic partners who help us deliver our key objectives: Accounted4, Waikato University, PAUA Architects, The Connected Business Network, Lewis Lawyers, Kaz Graphic Dezign, People in Mind, MediaWorks and Compuhub as well as our National Sponsors; Z Energy, Vodafone, Noel Leeming and OfficeMax.

Can you believe it was a year ago that we had our town returned to us with the opening of the Cambridge portion of the Waikato Expressway?

Cambridge is now flourishing in this new environment, welcoming visitors, new business and residents.

It has been a successful year for the chamber, with over 40 events, including the popular Mini MBA Series and the Waipa Networks Business Awards.

We have continued to grow our membership and increase participation. We helped raise funds to support the Paralympians in their quest for medals in Rio and our First XV raised funds for Sanctuary Mountain and Cambridge Town Christmas decorations.

We are active in conversations with those planning and strategising Cambridge's future, and mindful of the need for balanced, well managed growth at a time when growth is a given.

We have welcomed a new chamber executive team and celebrated the success of our newly formed Optimum Group for home-based business professionals and entrepreneurs and Love Cambridge – a group of Cambridge retailers who recognise the importance of promoting Cambridge as a premium shopping destination and experience.

So what does 2017 have in store?

We are already well underway with planning for 2017. The chamber team is excited by the incredible opportunities the new year will bring and committed to supporting business growth and success in Cambridge.

With the spectacular array of exciting events taking place in our region in the first quarter, and nationally we will see an election year play out, one that has taken an interesting turn already, 2017 is lining up to be quite the year.

On behalf of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, we wish you all a safe and happy holiday season and a successful 2017.

Louise Upston
​Taupo MP

​As an action packed 2016 draws to a close, I am reflecting on a year of many achievements in the electorate while working through some real challenges along the way.

Our region and towns have benefited from a strong, growing national economy and this has seen positive results for our local economy and growth in the rural sector. Incomes are rising; there are more jobs and interest rates are at near record lows. The National-led Government's family support initiatives are making a real difference to the quality of life for people in our local community.

It has been heartening to see our town bustling with new businesses one year on from the Cambridge section of Waikato expressway opening with locals and visitors certainly making the most of a thriving tourism industry.

Many New Zealanders are concerned about housing and housing affordability, with the effects reaching our local communities as people move out of the cities and into the regions. It's a challenge National is facing head on with a comprehensive plan.

A big highlight for me therefore was the $9m in funding secured for Cambridge High School and advance funding secured for Cambridge East Primary as they face increasing school roles growth.

In light of local concerns around increasing crime in Cambridge, I continue to work closely with the local community and New Zealand Police around addressing these concerns.

I am really looking forward to enjoying Christmas at home in Cambridge with my family. I plan to make the most of what I hope will be some glorious weather with my children. Bring on the summer barbecue and time spent enjoying our beautiful lakes and countryside.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and a prosperous year in 2017.

- Stuff